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 "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:34-40)

Now that we've taken time to renew our walk with God, taken steps to reduce the negative impact of our lives on others and God's creation, we will now turn to the work of actively loving our neighbor, both those we know and those unknown to us personally but who live in need around the world. This week we'll explore practical ways we can love our neighbor as ourselves and take actions to help the least of these at home and around the world.
Practice Actio / Action " Implementing and living out what we have heard God speak as we have been prayerfully reading and "listening."

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the lease of these" you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)

25 March: Consider intentionally eating less today, fasting a meal, for a full day, or even longer. Give some of the savings of what you have not "eaten" to a local food pantry, and some to a Christian relief and development group involved in one of the many acts of mercy, development, and charity around the world.

26 March: If you know someone who is out of work, suffering want, or who is in spiritual need, take time to contact and meet with them. Pray and offer encouragement and counsel. Is there any material way you might help them?

27 March: Build your understanding of things that impact our neighbors around the world. Check the EEN resource center or book center and read about groups like Plant with Purpose and World Relief who are involved in areas experiencing severe climate change.

28 March: Intentionally get to know someone who does not know Christ and is unfamiliar with the gospel. Reach out in friendship first and spend some time with them.

29 March: Consider what you might do to build awareness and get your church involved with acts of compassion and mercy around the world.

30 March: Learn more about EEN's work around "Compassion for a World in Need." http://creationcare.org/compassion. Consider ways that you can help facilitate and partner in this work.

31 March: Think about how you might invest your time and energies to help meet local needs. Does your local church have ministries to the poor? Consider meeting with your local Salvation Army and get to know communities in need in your neighborhood. What clothing might you donate to Salvation Army or Goodwill?